Curtain system adapter

ABSTRACT

A sliding adapter for modifying an existing curtain track to be used with a new curtain system includes a first hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a top portion of the existing curtain track, a second hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a bottom portion of the existing curtain track, a vertical member having a first end secured to the first hook portion and a second end secured to the second hook portion, and a rod engaging mechanism disposed below the second hook portion operable to engage a curtain rod of the new curtain system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/933,133 filed Jan. 29, 2014, and entitled “Curtain SystemAdapter,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to curtains. More particularly, this disclosurerelates to a track adapter for modifying a pre-existing curtain track tobe used with a new curtain system.

BACKGROUND

Curtains, and more specifically disposable or washable curtains, havelong been used in hospitals to provide, for example, privacy and roomdivision. Generally, these curtains are suspended from a track securedto a ceiling. For example, the curtains can be operated to substantiallysurround a patient's bed for privacy and retracted at other times whenprivacy is not an issue. The track to which the curtains are suspendedare generally designed to assist the extension/retraction of thecurtains.

Most of these curtains have two portions, namely, an upper meshcomponent and a lower opaque component. The upper mesh component istypically above eye level so the privacy function is not compromised.While the mesh component is not necessarily required, the opaque portioncannot extend to the ceiling because, if it did, it is possible that itwould interfere with the distribution of water from ceiling mountedsprinklers in the event of a fire. Additionally, mesh portions aregenerally incorporated to ensure that the opaque portion of the curtaindoes not interfere with lighting and/or air circulation.

In a hospital application, the curtains become soiled and can collectone or more of bacteria, molds, and viruses (collectively contaminants)during use. This can be a source of cross-contamination, from, forexample, one patient to other patients, a health care provider or otherstaff, and visitors to the hospital. Unfortunately, hospital curtainsare also typically difficult to change and/or wash. Generally, if thecurtain is provided as a single sheet with the mesh portion above theopaque portion, someone has to gain access to the ceiling level of theroom to remove the curtain from the track. This is difficult, laborintensive, and generally requires a ladder of some type to be used.

To address this issue, curtain systems have been designed to allow foreasier removal of the curtains from the tracks to which they aresuspended. For example, one system includes a curtain suspended from atrack attached to a ceiling. The curtain includes a lower opaque portionthat is physically separable from the upper mesh portion such that theopaque portion may be removed from the mesh portion and replaced with aclean opaque portion. Since the lower opaque portion provides theprivacy function, the upper mesh portion is suspended near the ceilingand is, therefore, in a position where it is less likely to present thecross-contamination risk associated with the lower opaque portion.Therefore, the upper mesh portion does not need to be changed asfrequently as the lower opaque portion.

While the configuration described above having a lower opaque portionremovable from an upper mesh portion addresses many known problems, somestill exist. First, it cannot be assured that the upper mesh portion isfree from the contamination described above. Second, while theconnection between the upper mesh portion and the lower opaque portionis at a more comfortable work level than the connection between theupper mesh portion and the track, it is still difficult and timeconsuming for personnel to attach a replacement lower opaque portion tothe upper mesh portion. This difficulty is due in part to the multiplefasteners that are used to connect the two portions of the curtain atmultiple points along the curtain as well as the fact that the uppermesh portion is prone to movement along the track during the removal ofthe used opaque portion and then attachment of the new opaque portion.

More recently, curtain systems have been designed and implemented thatallow for easy removal of an entire curtain at one time from its trackwhen the curtain is in a retracted position and then easy installationof a clean curtain on the same track. One such system is made by theassignee of the present application, ICP Medical, LLC, under thetrademark RAPID REFRESH™. The RAPID REFRESH™ system is shown anddescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,869,869, the entire contentsof which is incorporated by reference herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, the RAPID REFRESH™ curtain system includes a hangerassembly 10 from which a curtain 12 can be suspended. Hanger assembly 10generally includes a plurality of curtain rods 16, a ceiling trackengaging component 18 adjacent the upper portion of each rod 16configured to slidably engage track 20, a curtain release mechanism 22configured for engagement with the lower portion of each rod 16, and arod engaging member 24 secured to the curtain 12 and configured forengaging each curtain release mechanism 22 to secure the curtain 12 tothe rods 16. In certain embodiments, rods 16 are hollow and may includemagnets 26 disposed near the lower portion thereof such that the magnets26 are helpful in maintaining a substantially adjacent and parallelorientation for a plurality of rods 16 when the curtain 12 is beingremoved from the rods 16 and associated curtain release mechanisms 22 orinstalled onto same. As explained in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,869,869,hanger assembly 10 differs from traditional assemblies in that a key 28is inserted through the curtain release mechanisms 22 to release thecurtain 12 from each of the rods 16 at one time rather than, withrespect to traditional systems, individually removing a plurality offasteners from each rod to which they are connected. In other words,when key 28 is turned in the proper direction, curtain 12 and themultiple rod engaging members 24 attached thereto simply disengage fromthe curtain release mechanisms 22. The magnets 26 help to maintain thesubstantially adjacent orientation of curtain release mechanisms 22 andthus the rods 16 from which the curtain release mechanisms 22 extend.

When installing a new curtain, a second key may then be inserted intoslots 14 of the curtain 12 to assist in attaching the curtain 12 to thecurtain release mechanisms 22. Using the two keys, the installer easilyaligns and engages slots in the curtain release mechanisms 22 withrespective rod engaging members 24 to install the new curtain 12.

While the RAPID REFRESH™ curtain system shown in FIG. 1 is merelyexemplary, it does generally depict a preferred ceiling track engagementwhere the ceiling track engaging component 18 of the curtain systemengages a groove in track 20 such that the curtain 12 is operable toslide along the track 20. It should also be noted that the ceiling trackengaging component 18, while depicted in FIG. 1 as a “T” shaped crossbar, could take various other forms such as a roller assembly to rollalong the groove in track 20.

One common track configuration already installed at many facilities thatdoes not use a tongue-and-groove type arrangement for the connectionbetween the curtain and the track is depicted in FIG. 2. In thisconfiguration, track 30 is suspended from the ceiling using a pluralityof mounting hangers 32. Each mounting hanger 32 includes a lower arm 34having an engaging portion on one end operable to engage a groove 36running along rear portion of the track 30 as shown in the exploded viewof FIG. 2A. In order to configure the track 30 as desired for theparticular privacy room in which the curtain assembly is to be used, thetrack 30 is provided in multiple sections. Adjacent sections are thenjoined together using connecting assemblies (not shown) that areoperable to engage the groove 36 running along the rear portion ofadjacent track sections. In other words, to configure the track of FIG.2 according to desired specifications, a plurality of track sectionshaving varying lengths and shapes (e.g., linear or having roundedcorners) are connected using connecting assemblies that are configuredto be inserted into the groove running along the rear of adjoining tracksections.

As the groove 36 in the rear of the track 30 of FIG. 2 is used to bothjoin adjacent track sections as well as to connect the track 30 tomounting hangers 32, the groove 36 of track 30 is not compatible with atongue-and-groove type arrangement as with typical ceiling trackengaging components described above, such as ceiling track engagingcomponent 18 of the RAPID REFRESH™ system, because the “tongue” or“roller” connection is blocked by the connecting assemblies.

In view of the above, one problem with selling and implementing new andimproved curtain systems such as the RAPID REFRESH™ system in largefacilities such as hospitals having countless privacy sections and/orroom divisions is that a certain track specifically designed for theexisting curtain system is already installed at each privacy section.Thus, to implement a new curtain system, the old track must be removedand a new track designed for the new system must then be secured to theceiling. This requires additional time and expense, which oftendiscourages facilities from implementing the new system despite the factthat the new system would be preferred by the operator once implemented.

What is needed therefore is a track adapter operable to be secured to anexisting track that does not include an appropriate groove forretracting and extending a curtain so that a new and improved curtainsystem can be implemented with the existing track.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a sliding adapter formodifying an existing curtain track to be used with a new curtain systemincludes a first hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking toa top portion of the existing curtain track, the first hook portionincluding a convex inner surface; a second hook portion dimensioned andconfigured for hooking to a bottom portion of the existing curtaintrack, the second hook portion including a convex inner surface; avertical member having a first end secured to the first hook portion anda second end secured to the second hook portion; a gap portion providedbetween the first hook portion and the second hook portion on a side ofthe adapter opposite the vertical member; and a rod engaging mechanismdisposed below the second hook portion operable to engage a curtain rodof the new curtain system.

According to certain embodiments, at least a portion of the verticalmember includes a convex inner surface. Additionally, the first hookportion, the second hook portion, and the vertical member includes aninner portion having an inner width and an outer framing portion havingan outer width, the outer width of the outer framing portion beinggreater than the inner width of the inner portion.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a sliding adapterincludes a first hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking toa top portion of the existing curtain track; a second hook portiondimensioned and configured for hooking to a bottom portion of theexisting curtain track; a vertical member having a first end secured tothe first hook portion and a second end secured to the second hookportion; and a rod engaging mechanism disposed below the second hookportion operable to engage a curtain rod of the new curtain system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to thedetailed description in conjunction with the figures, wherein elementsare not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein likereference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views,and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art curtain system;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of another prior art curtain system;

FIG. 2A is an exploded rear view of the curtain track of the prior artcurtain system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a sliding adapter according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the sliding adapter of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a first side view of the sliding adapter of FIGS. 3-4;

FIG. 6 is a opposing side view of the sliding adapter of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a sliding adapter secured to anexisting curtain track for modifying the track to be used with a newcurtain system according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, sliding adapter 50 is dimensioned and configuredto slide along the perimeter of track 30, or similar tracks lackingaccessible sliding grooves. Adapter 50 includes a first hook portion 52dimensioned and configured for hooking around a top portion 38 of theexisting curtain track 30, a second hook portion 54 dimensioned andconfigured for hooking around a bottom portion 40 of the track 30, and arod engaging mechanism 62 disposed below the second hook portion 54configured for connecting curtain rods of a curtain system, such as theRAPID REFRESH™ system described above, to the adapter 50. Together, thefirst and second hook portions 52, 54 secure the adapter 50 to the track30.

The adapter 50 further includes a vertical support member 58 on one sideof the adapter 50, which connects the hook portions 52, 54. The verticalsupport member 58 is dimensioned to substantially correspond to theheight of the track 30 such that a gap portion 62 is disposed betweenthe hook portions 52, 54 on the side opposite the vertical supportmember 58. As a result, the adapter 50 generally takes the shape of amodified “C” where the gap portion 62 allows for sliding of the adapter50 along the track 30 without any interference with trackconnections/assemblies extending from the groove 32 in the rear of thetrack 30.

In preferred embodiments, adapter 50 is substantially rigid/inflexibleand includes no moving parts. Thus, in order to secure the rigid adapterto the track 30, the side of one of the track sections must beaccessible to slide each adapter 50 onto the track 30. In other words,to install a new curtain system onto an existing track 30, a tracksection may be removed or otherwise separated from an adjacent tracksection. Then, a number of rigid adapters 50 as needed are slid onto thetrack 30.

In alternate embodiments, the adapter 50 is flexible or otherwiseincludes moveable parts such that the adapter 50 is operable to movebetween an installation position for installing the adapter 50 onto thetrack 30 and a working position where the adapter 50 is in secure butsliding engagement with the track 30. For example, one or more of theadapters 50 may be flexible enough to be flexed outward to theinstallation position and then naturally “snap” back to the workingposition after the hook portions 52, 54 are flexed around the top andbottom portions 38, 40 of the track 30. In yet another embodiment, thevertical support member 58 may include two respective sliding memberssuch that the vertical member 58 can be lengthened to the installationposition and then shortened to the working position.

As shown, the rod engaging mechanism 62 preferably extends below thesecond hook portion 54. In preferred embodiments, the rod engagingmechanism 62 is in the form of a ring. However, other shapes andfeatures of the rod engaging mechanism 62 are contemplated and withinthe scope of the present disclosure, such as a hook or a magnet, so longas the rod engaging mechanism is operable to securely connect to the rodof the curtain system to be installed on the track 30. Referring to FIG.7, an exemplary connection of the rod engaging mechanism 62 to a rod 16of the RAPID REFRESH™ is shown. In this embodiment, the ceiling trackengaging component 18 of the RAPID REFRESH™ system shown in FIG. 1 hasbeen replaced with an adapter engaging component 19 for engaging the rodengaging mechanism 62 of adapter 50. In particular, the adapter engagingcomponent 19 includes a first hook 21 for securing to the rod engagingmechanism 62 and a second hook 23 for securing to a D-ring 25 attachedto rod 16. However, other adapter engaging components 19 may be utilizedso long it is operable to be secured to the rod engaging mechanism 62 onone end and the rod 16 at the other end.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5, in another aspect of the disclosure, the firsthook portion 52, second hook portion 54, and vertical member 58preferably include convex/rounded inner surfaces 53, 55, and 59,respectively. The convex inner surfaces assist the adapter 50 in slidingover the area in which adjoining track sections are connected. In otherwords, because track 30 is typically installed by connecting multipletrack sections together, track 30 includes numerous connection areasalong the track 30. As a result of poor assembly of the track, as wellas general part tolerances provided when manufacturing the tracksections, the outer track surface at the connection areas will ofteninclude small gaps, protrusions, and other irregularities that preventthe adapter 50 from sliding smoothly along track 30. Providingconvex/rounded surfaces at the portions of the adapter 50 that contactsthe track 30 as the adapter 50 slides along the track 30 allows theadapter 50 to easily traverse these irregularities at the connectionareas.

Similarly, the width of the portions of the adapter 50 that contact thetrack 30 is preferably minimized to allow the adapter 50 to more easilyslide along the track 30 with less friction. However, the desire for asmaller width is balanced in part by the need to make sure the adapterdoes not get hung up along the connection areas of adjoining sections ofthe track. Additionally, as described above, the adapter 50 ispreferably substantially rigid and must be strong enough to support acurtain system. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the adapter 50 includesan outer portion 70 having a greater width than the inner surfaceportions 53, 55, and 59 that contact the track 30. The wider outerportion 70 provides additional strength to the adapter 50 while thethinner inner surface portion allows for smoother movement along thetrack. In preferred embodiments, the width of the outer portion 70 isabout 0.2 inches while the width of the inner portions is between about0.05 inches to about 0.1 inches.

In the event the adapter 50 does get hung up at one of the connectionareas of the track 30, caught on an adjacent adapter 50 or unintendedpart of the curtain system, or otherwise is obstructed from easy slidingalong the track 30 as desired, the vertical support member 58 preferablyincludes a handle portion 74 that extends in a direction opposite fromthe track 30 and the hook portions 52, 54. The handle portion 74 allowsa user to easily grab and maneuver the adapter 50 as desired to free itup from whatever is obstructing its desired movement.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Theyare not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen anddescribed in an effort to provide the best illustrations of theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, and tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the invention as determined by the appendedclaims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sliding adapter for modifying an existingcurtain track to be used with a new curtain system, the adaptercomprising: a first hook portion dimensioned and configured for hookingto a top portion of the existing curtain track, the first hook portionincluding a convex inner surface; a second hook portion dimensioned andconfigured for hooking to a bottom portion of the existing curtaintrack, the second hook portion including a convex inner surface; avertical member having a first end secured to the first hook portion anda second end secured to the second hook portion; a gap portion providedbetween the first hook portion and the second hook portion on a side ofthe adapter opposite the vertical member; and a rod engaging mechanismdisposed below the second hook portion operable to engage a curtain rodof the new curtain system.
 2. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein atleast a portion of the vertical member includes a convex inner surface.3. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein the first hook portion, thesecond hook portion, and the vertical member includes an inner portionhaving an inner width and an outer framing portion having an outerwidth, the outer width of the outer framing portion being greater thanthe inner width of the inner portion.
 4. The sliding adapter of claim 1wherein the rod engaging mechanism is a ring.
 5. A sliding adapter formodifying an existing curtain track to be used with a new curtainsystem, the adapter comprising: a first hook portion dimensioned andconfigured for hooking to a top portion of the existing curtain track; asecond hook portion dimensioned and configured for hooking to a bottomportion of the existing curtain track; a vertical member having a firstend secured to the first hook portion and a second end secured to thesecond hook portion; and a rod engaging mechanism disposed below thesecond hook portion operable to engage a curtain rod of the new curtainsystem.
 6. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein a gap portion isprovided between the first hook portion and the second hook portion on aside of the adapter opposite the vertical member.
 7. The sliding adapterof claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first hook portion and atleast a portion of the second hook portion include a convex innersurface.
 8. The sliding adapter of claim 3 wherein at least a portion ofthe vertical member includes a convex inner surface.
 9. The slidingadapter of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the vertical memberincludes a convex inner surface.
 10. The sliding adapter of claim 1wherein the first hook portion, the second hook portion, and thevertical member includes an inner portion having an inner width and anouter framing portion having an outer width, the outer width of theouter framing portion being greater than the inner width of the innerportion.
 11. The sliding adapter of claim 1 wherein the rod engagingmechanism is a ring.